​Executive Summary​

The above table serves as a snapshot of the typical factors that impact ridership, and illustrates the differences which exist between the current month and the same month in the previous year. If a change occurred, it is categorized to represent a (typically) positive, negative or neutral impact on ridership. More details on the observed impacts are noted in the description of ridership results below.

​Local Network Overview

Local Bus

Monthly Total

There were 4,907K boardings in November 2016 compared to 4,823K in November 2015, an increase of +84K boardings (or 2 percent increase) on local bus service. A favorable calendar mix of one more weekday and one fewer Sunday relative to the previous year contributed to ridership gain.

​Light Rail

Monthly Total

There were 1,437K boardings on all three light rail lines in November 2016, compared to 1,468K boardings in November 2015, a decrease of -31K boardings (or 2 percent decrease). Red line and Green line ridership were down 4% and 8% respectively over November 2015 while Purple line ridership increased by 21% relative to the previous year. There were multiple service interruptions to address axle counter replacements on Red and Green during November 2016. Continued economic downturn in the Houston area also contributed to the ridership loss.

Total Local Network

Monthly Total

There were 6,345K boardings in November 2016 compared to 6,292K in November 2015, an increase of +53K boardings (or 1 percent increase).

Average Daily Ridership: Weekday / Saturday / Sunday

Average daily ridership on the total local network decreased on Weekday , while average daily ridership on the total local network increased on Saturday and Sunday in November 2016 compared to 2015. Weekday average daily ridership decreased by -10K boardings (or 4 percent decrease), Saturday average daily ridership increased by +11K boardings (or +8 percent decrease), and Sunday average daily ridership increased by +2K (or 2 percent increase).

​Commuter Network Overview

Park & Ride

Monthly Total

There were 590K Park & Ride boardings in November 2016 compared to 636K boardings in November 2015, a decrease of -46K boardings (or 7 percent decrease).

Average Daily Ridership: Weekday

Average weekday ridership in November 2016 was 30K boardings compared to 34K boardings November 2015 a decrease of -4K boardings (or 12 percent decrease). According to the most recent Origin-Destination Survey, 94% of all Park and Ride trips are work-based trips. The increase in unemployment is a major contributor to the decrease in ridership.

Entire Network Summary

Monthly Total

There were 6,935K boardings on the entire fixed-route network in November 2016 compared to 6,928K boardings in November 2015, an increase of +7K boardings (or less than 1 percent increase).